Bayer Leverkusen defender Alex Grimaldo has come to the defence of Darwin Núñez, insisting that the criticism surrounding his Liverpool career has been unfair and misplaced.
Speaking to After de Post United, as relayed by El Universo, Grimaldo said he was baffled by how harshly the Uruguayan striker was judged during his three years at Anfield, especially given his output and work rate.
The pair played together at Benfica, where Núñez’s blistering form earned him an €85 million move to Liverpool in 2022. The forward scored 48 goals in 85 appearances in Portugal and was expected to become one of the Premier League’s most feared attackers.
“Perfect for the Premier League”
While Núñez ultimately failed to reach those lofty expectations — scoring 40 goals in 143 appearances for Liverpool before leaving for Al-Hilal this summer — Grimaldo believes the narrative around his time in England has been distorted by the transfer fee rather than his actual performances.
“I thought that when he went to Liverpool, he was perfect for the Premier League — the type of player, and for Liverpool above all,” Grimaldo said. “He was very fast, very powerful, with a lot of goals and a good shot. I think he’s scored a lot of goals, he’s played… I just don’t understand the criticism.”
“It’s not the player’s fault”
Grimaldo went on to suggest that the weight of the transfer fee unfairly skewed expectations and that Núñez’s contribution was often underappreciated by fans and pundits.
“It always happens that when there’s a very high price, they demand double or triple — and it’s not the player’s fault,” he continued. “The player has nothing to do with the price; it’s between clubs. When you go to a team like Liverpool, there’s pressure, they demand a lot of you. There’s always criticism, but I think he’s scored a lot of goals and assists for Liverpool anyway.”
Núñez’s time at Anfield
Darwin Núñez’s time at Liverpool was one of highs and lows. His raw pace and intensity made him a fan favourite at times, but inconsistency in front of goal and competition for places saw him fall out of favour under Jürgen Klopp and later Arne Slot.
Despite flashes of brilliance — including key goals in the Champions League and Premier League — he never fully replicated his Benfica form. His eventual move to Saudi Arabia came as Liverpool reshaped their attacking line, bringing in Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak to lead the next generation.
| Darwin Núñez – Liverpool Career (2022–2025) | All Competitions |
|---|---|
| Appearances | 143 |
| Goals | 40 |
| Assists | 17 |
| Major Trophies | 1 FA Cup, 1 Carabao Cup |
source: El Universo, After de Post United & Liverpool FC – 23 October 2025
Our View
In our view, Grimaldo has a point — Núñez’s record isn’t as bad as his critics often claim. Averaging a goal contribution every 2.5 games across three turbulent seasons at Liverpool is respectable, especially given the transition between managers and tactical systems.
The perception of failure largely stems from the €85m fee and the inevitable comparisons with Erling Haaland, who joined Manchester City at the same time. While Haaland broke records, Núñez was often judged against that impossible standard.
Analyst Verdict
FootballPlace analyst John William writes:
Darwin Núñez will always divide opinion. His chaos factor — pace, power, relentless pressing — made him unpredictable, but also vital at times for Liverpool. Grimaldo’s comments highlight how easy it is for narrative to overshadow contribution.
In truth, Núñez did well enough in one of football’s most demanding environments. His time at Anfield wasn’t a failure — it was just overshadowed by someone else’s freakish success story.
Key Insights
- Alex Grimaldo says criticism of Darwin Núñez’s Liverpool spell is “unfair.”
- Former Benfica teammates reunited through the media, with Grimaldo defending his old friend.
- Núñez scored 40 goals and provided 17 assists for Liverpool between 2022 and 2025.
- Grimaldo insists the price tag, not the player, was the issue.
- Núñez now plays for Al-Hilal after leaving Anfield this summer.
What’s Next
Núñez has made a strong start to life in Saudi Arabia, scoring six goals in his first eight games for Al-Hilal. Grimaldo, meanwhile, continues to shine in the Bundesliga with Bayer Leverkusen.
👉 Was Darwin Núñez unfairly criticised at Liverpool — or did he simply not deliver enough?
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